A BRAVE Hampshire mum has lost her battle with leukaemia, after suffering from the disease for two years.

Leona Shinn, 28, was given the devastating news that she had cancer in October 2010, just a month after she got married.

Leona, who had worked as a carer at Fleming House in Southampton before her diagnosis, was determined to raise thousands of pounds for charity as she battled cancer.

She organised a children’s fun day in aid of the Daily Echo-backed Red & White Appeal at the Irish Club in Eastleigh just weeks before her death – raising £1,300 for the cause.

Leona, from Sedgwick Road, Bishopstoke, also took part in the Race for Life Twilight in Southampton last month and was planning more fundraising for the Mountbatten Hospice in West End, where she received care.

Leona leaves husband Martin, 33, and children Harry, 4, and Olivia, 5.

Her mother-in-law Sharon Shinn, 50, also from Bishopstoke, said that Leona always put her family first.

She added: “She was the bravest person – she carried on normally and was a brilliant mum to her children.

“The first thing she thought of was always other people and never herself.

“Even at the end she was there cooking for the children, her house was immaculate.

“There’s been lots of time spent in hospital but she just kept fighting.

“We knew the prognosis wasn’t good but it’s still a massive shock.

“She had written everything down for the family.

“She knew she was dying and she was prepared – more prepared than we realised.

“That was just the kind of woman she was.”

Mrs Shinn added: “We’re so proud to have had her in our family – she enhanced everybody’s lives.”

Leona’s funeral takes place on Monday at the Wessex Vale Crematorium in West End at 1.45pm.

Instead of sending flowers, donations should be made to the Countess Mountbatten House hospice.